Previously, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Andrea Domingo announced that two new casino-hotels, managed by foreign companies, will be built in Boracay.

Starting April 26, Boracay will be closed for six months so that the well known tourist destination can be rehabilitated by the government.

The decision to temporarily close the island came after the president referred to it as a “cesspool” and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Tourism, since then found numerous establishments guilty of violating different environmental laws.

In line with the six-month closure, Presiden Duterte also announced that he will be signing Proclamation that will place Boracay under a state of calamity and release Php2 billion assistance for the indigent Filipinos that will be affected by the closure.